Manú National Park (1973) - protects about 5,915 mi² (15,320 km²) - in the Peruvian Yungas and Southwest Amazon Moist Forest ecoregions - the eastern slopes of the Andes Mountains from about 13,780 ft. (4,200 m) down to about 500 ft. (150 m) - in the Madre de Dios and Cusco departments. In 1980 the Manu Reserve Zone which included about 1,000 sq. mi. (2,600 sq. km) became a federally protected area, adjacent the park within the Amazon Basin. In 1987, this park became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This park has the highest bird, mammal and plant diversity of any park on Planet Earth. This image during the early morning upon the Río Manú, at around 985 ft (300 m) above sea level - northwest of Boca Manu village, in Madre de Dios department - southeastern Peru.

722